A World champion in 2006, he has now entered the declining phase of his career studded with achievements and satisfactions. He started playing in the Como youth team, but first good performances came with Bari in an offensive wing role.

The move which changed his career was at Juventus, when Marcello Lippi converted him into a full-back. He became one of the best players in the world in that role, and in 2003 he was also one of the cadidates for the Golden Ball.

After the World Cup victory and Juventus' relegation, he moved to Barcelona. After a good first season and a disappointing second, he came back to Serie A with AC Milan. Last season he was below average, but his experience and reliability are very importanto for the Azurri. He is a backbone of Italian National Team, during the World Cup he could reach his 100th cap. Did you know?